DS Smith, a subsidiary of International Paper and a leading provider of sustainable cellulose-based packaging solutions, and SOMFY, a global leader in home and building automation, are launching a
fully recyclable cardboard solution for shipping roller shutter motors to replace polystyrene inserts.
Without compromising on product protection, DS Smith and SOMFY have risen to this challenge, with a large-scale operational rollout that marks a concrete step toward more sustainable and circular industrial packaging.
Collaborative Design for Innovation
Led by the DS Smith teams in Kunheim in close collaboration with SOMFY, the project has one goal: to replace plastic and reduce the environmental footprint of packaging, without compromising the quality of product protection throughout storage and transport. From the outset, the work was based on in-depth discussions regarding the specifications, to ensure that product constraints, production requirements, and real-world usage conditions were all taken into account. This collaborative approach led to the development of several successive concepts, which were tested, adjusted, and optimized throughout the project.
A standardized, adaptable, and high-performance industrial solution
Made from EE Kraft corrugated cardboard, these cardboard spacers guarantee durability and long-term performance. Designed to be modular, the system accommodates 34 different motor lengths and adapts to four box sizes, thereby significantly reducing logistical complexity. The quick and easy assembly process is designed to meet industrial production rates. At the same time, the compactness of the cardboard compared to EPS allows for a significant reduction in storage volume, generating immediate space savings at logistics sites. Following a successful trial order, the project entered the operational phase, confirming the solution’s performance under real-world conditions.
Benjamin Chedal, Sales, Marketing, and Innovation Director, DS Smith Packaging France:
“This innovation fully embodies DS Smith’s commitment to helping our customers move toward ever more sustainable packaging solutions. We are very proud of the rollout of this concept, which has been successfully adapted to numerous SOMFY product formats, demonstrating its modularity, relevance, and long-term viability, both in terms of innovation and the materials used.”Tony Faure, Project Manager, SOMFY:
“Product eco-design and the sustainability of our practices are at the heart of the SOMFY Group’s decarbonization strategy. We are delighted to have collaborated with DS Smith on the rollout of this cardboard cushioning solution: it marks an important milestone that facilitates handling and recycling for our business customers, made from renewable materials, without compromising on the quality and protection requirements of our products.”
At DS Smith, sustainability is at the heart of a circular business model and its commitment to helping customers reduce their carbon footprint.
Photo/DS Smith
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